Fire claims draw with Union as Pardo scores in debut

Aug 4, 2011 - 3:09 AM
Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - Pavel Pardo's Major League Soccer debut was
a success as the former Mexico international scored a second-half equalizer to
help the Chicago Fire claim a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union at Toyota
Park on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Pardo was signed just over a week ago by Chicago, and after
the Union claimed the lead in the 34th minute through Veljko Paunovic, Pardo
was in the right place at the right time to bury the equalizer nine minutes
after the break.

Philadelphia has now won just once in its last five games, but is only two
points back of the top spot in the Eastern Conference, while wins continue to
elude the Fire as the club has drawn five of its last seven games with two
defeats.

Neither side got much done offensively in the first 30 minutes, but the Union
suddenly went in front in the 34th when a deflected pass in the final third
fell to Paunovic 30 yards from goal. He took a touch and then lashed a left-
footed shot past Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who watched the ball sail
just inside the left post.

Patrick Nyarko's volley from 20 yards went close as Chicago tried to answer,
but Nyarko helped to set up the tying goal early in the second half.

He carried the ball down the right wing and drove a low cross to the near post
for Dominic Oduro. Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon came across, but the ball
was redirected back to the top of the penalty area to Pardo, who smacked his
shot inside the left post with Mondragon out of position.

The Union came close to regaining the lead just a few minutes later when a
free kick from Roger Torres found the head of Carlos Valdes a few yards from
goal, but he nodded the ball over the net.

Chicago was the more dangerous team over the final 30 minutes and the Union
needed some nice work from Mondragon in goal to preserve a point.

Oduro got loose inside the area near the hour mark but had his low shot kept
out by Mondragon before the Union 'keeper thwarted another effort from Oduro
after he was played into the box alone by Marco Pappa.